Limnology

Unit 2- Lakes

2.2.1. Famous lakes
Indian lakes
Almost every region of the country is dwelt by several of lakes that add great charm to their natural characteristics. Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, North-Western state and Northern state of India, respectively are undoubtedly in possession of larger number of lakes than anywhere else in the country.
Dal lake-Jammu-Kashmir
Dal Lake is a lake in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. The urban lake, which is the second largest in the state, is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is nicknamed the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir" or "Srinagar's Jewel". The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.
Location : Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Lake type : Warm monomictic
Surface area: 18–22 square km
Average depth : 1.42 m (4.7 ft)
Catchment area : 316 square km (122 sq mi)
Max. length : 7.44 km (4.62 mi)
Max. width : 3.5 km (2.2 mi)

Hebbal Lake- Karnataka
Hebbal Lake is located in the north of Bangalore at the mouth of National Highway 7, along the junction of Bellary road and the outer ring road. It was one of the three lakes created in 1537 by Kempe Gowda. Like most lakes or "tanks" in the Bangalore region it was formed by the damming natural valley systems by the construction of bunds. The spread of the lake in a study in 2000 was found to be 75 ha with plans for extending it to make up 143 ha. The catchment area of the lake was found to be 3750 ha. In 1974 the lake area was 77.95 ha and in 1998 it was 57.75 ha. Based on the rainfall of the region, the annual catchment was estimated at 15.2 million cubic metres with 3.04 million cubic metres during the Northeast Monsoon, 10.12 million cubic metres during the Southwest Monsoon and 3.28 million cubic metres in the dry season. The storage capacity of the lake was estimated in 2000 to be 2.38 million cubic metres with desilting raising it to 4.07 million cubic metres. Sewage inflow into the lake has altered the chemistry and biology of the lake.

Powai Lake-Maharasthra
Powai Lake is an artificial lake, situated in the northern suburb of Mumbai, in the Powai valley located downstream of the Vihar Lake on the Mithi River. The city suburb called Powai, shares its name with the lake. Population around the lake has substantially increased over the years.
When it was built, the lake had a water spread area of about 2.1 square kilometres (520 acres) and the depth varied from about 3 metres (9.8 ft) (at the periphery) to 12 metres (39 ft) at its deepest. The Powai Lake has gone through many stages of water quality degradation. The lake water which used to supply to Mumbai for drinking water has been declared unfit to drink. The Lake still remains a tourist attraction.
Location : Mumbai
Catchment area : 6.61 km²
Max. depth :12 m
Surface elevation : 58.5 m (191.93 ft)
Settlements : Powai

Loktak lake-Manipur
Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India, also called the only Floating lake in the world due to the floating phumdis (heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matters at various stages of decomposition) on it, is located near Moirang in Manipur state, India. The etymology of Loktak is lok = "stream" and tak = "the end". This ancient lake plays an important role in the economy of Manipur. It serves as a source of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. The lake is also a source of livelihood for the rural fisherman who lives in the surrounding areas and on phumdis, also known as “phumshongs. Considering the ecological status and its biodiversity values, the lake was initially designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on March 23, 1990.
Location : Manipur
Lake type : Fresh water (lentic)
Primary inflows : Manipur river and many small rivulets
Primary outflows : Through barrage for hydropower generation, irrigation, and water supply
Catchment area : 980 km² (380 sq m)

Chilka Lake - Orrisa
Chilka (Chilika) lake is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Orissa state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the World. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. The lake is an ecosystem with large fishery resources. It sustains more than 150,000 fisher–folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands. Microalgae, marine seaweeds, sea grasses, fishes and crabs also flourish in the brackish water of the Chilika Lagoon.
Lake type : Brackish
Primary inflows : 35 streams including the Bhargavi, Daya, Makra, Malaguni and Nuna rivers
Primary outflows : Bay of Bengal
Catchment area : 3,560 km²

Hussian Sagar - Andhra Pradesh
Hussain Sagar (Hyderabad, India) was built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It was a lake of 24 square kilo metres built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city. There is a large monolithic statue of the Gautam Buddha in the middle of the lake which was erected in 1992.
Location: Hyderabad
Lake type: artificial lake
Max. depth: 32 ft
Surface elevation: 1,759 ft

Brahma Sarovar - Haryana
Brahma Sarovar is a water tank sacred to the Dharmic religions in Thanesar, in the state of Haryana in North India. Dharmic religions lay emphasis on taking bath for internal and external purity.
Max. width : 1,800 ft (550 m)
Surface area : 1,400 ft (430 m)

Vembanad Lake - Kerala
Vembanad Lake (Vembanad Kayal or Vembanad Kol) is India's longest lake, and is the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes in India.
Max. length : 96.5 km
Max. width : 14 km
Surface area : 1512 km²
Max. depth :12 m

Upper Lake - Madhya Pradesh
Upper Lake, is the largest artificial lake in Asia which lies on the Western side of the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal. It is a major source of drinkable water for the residents of the city, serving around 40% of the residents with nearly 30 million gallons per day.
Location : Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal
Primary inflows : Kolans River
Catchment area : 361 km²
Surface area : 31 km²

Kodaikanal Lake - Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal Lake, also known as Kodai Lake is a manmade lake located in the Kodaikanal city in Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu, India. The lake is said to be Kodaikanal's most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction. Over the years a boat club, boathouse and boat service for the public and tourists has become fully functional and is of aesthetic significance for tourism. Boat Pageant and Flower Shows is a regular feature in the summer season which attracts tourists.
Location : Kodaikanal, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu
Lake type : Fresh water
Surface area : 24 ha (60 acres)
Average depth : 3 m (9.7 ft)

Pushkar Lake- Rajasthan
Pushkar is an artificial lake located in the state of Rajasthan in India. It is situated near the Pushkar town in the district of Ajmer. The lake was constructed in the 12th century with the establishment of the dam across the headwaters of the Luni river. The pious Pushkar Lake is regarded as the sacred lake among the Hindus in India.

Osman Sagar Lake
Popularly known as the 'Gandipet', Osman Sagar Lake is the man made lake created by the dam across the Isa, a tributary of the river Musi. It is the main source of water supply to the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Bhimtal Lake
Located 22 km from Nainital, and this lake is named after the second Pandava called Bhima of the famous epic Mahabharata. It is one of the largest lakes in the Nainital and the second largest lake in Kumaoun. The lake provides the excellent opportunity for boating, fishing and angling.

Roopkund Lake
Roopkund Lake lies in the Chamoli district of Uttranchal at the height of 5029 meter. The lake provides the stunning view of the Trishul peak (7122 meter) and due to its less depth it also known as the shallow lake.